Adventures in Nonfiction
These series of three lessons provide a foundation for using nonfiction resources for developing and answering questions about gathered information. Using a wide variety of nonfiction literature, students learn to sort and categorize books to begin the information-gathering process. Then, working with partners and groups, using pictures and text, students are guided through the process of gathering information, asking clarifying questions, and then enhancing the information with additional details. Students complete the lesson by collaboratively making “Question and Answer” books for the classroom library. This is a high-interest foundation builder for using nonfiction literature in research as well as for pleasure reading. Students should have participated in discussions of nonfiction books that have been read aloud to them, especially to help them learn to think while reading. Suggested questions are provided to help direct discussions of text.